The second season of The X Factor came to an exciting conclusion tonight as Tate Stevens was crowned the winner during a special live two-hour season finale on FOX. Hosts Khloé Kardashian Odom and Mario Lopez revealed that following last night’s performance show, Stevens had the highest number of votes over runner-up Carly Rose Sonenclar and second runner-up Fifth Harmony.

Stevens, 37, who was mentored by L.A. Reid, emerged as America’s choice and the winner of the coveted The X Factor title and a $5 million recording contract with Sony Music. In addition, this year’s winner will also receive production and creative support to develop, create, record and shoot his first original track and music video. The prize culminates with the winner’s video premiering as a Pepsi commercial during the live telecast of the “55th Annual GRAMMY Awards®.”

The star-studded two-night event featured performances from One Direction – the global sensation that rose to fame on the U.K. version of “The X Factor” – and world-renowned rapper Pitbull, as well as a series of duets performed last night by special guests paired up with THE X FACTOR finalists, including country superstar LeAnn Rimes with Carly Rose Sonenclar, pop singer and THE X FACTOR judge Demi Lovato with Fifth Harmony and country music group Little Big Town with Tate Stevens. THE X FACTOR’s Top 13 Finalists also reunited for a special performance of “You Are Not Alone,” in tribute to the Newtown, CT, families.

Online auditions for the third season of THE X FACTOR are now open through June 15, 2013 at 11:59 PM PT. Solo artists and vocal groups 12 years old and over may submit their two-minute a cappella audition videos at www.TheXFactorUSA.com. In addition to online auditions, aspiring performers will soon be able to participate in open call auditions held in Los Angeles, CA (March 6, 2013); Charleston, SC (March 19, 2013); New Orleans, LA (April 14, 2013); Long Island, NY (April 25, 2013); and Denver, CO (May 14, 2013). Please continue to check www.TheXFactorUSA.com for more information and full terms, conditions and eligibility.

THE X FACTOR was created by Syco Television and is produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America. Rob Wade and Nigel Hall are executive producers for Syco Television. Trish Kinane, Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers for FremantleMedia North America. “Like” THE X FACTOR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA. Follow the series on Twitter @TheXFactorUSA and join the discussion at #xfactor.

If Tate does well afterwards, he could join the likes of Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, Keith Urban, and just about any other country singer around his age.

TVMAN

Finished watching the finale. It was all kinds of disaster… So much filler for a 2 HOUR show. The results were quit predictable… Only act that interested me was Fifth Hamony, the child ballod singer and the regular country singer do not interest me. I watched all of season 2 of XF. Overall it’s a mess. Britney is like cardboard, and the Kardashian prob was single handily the worst thing on the show. The girl can’t host for her life… The acts were OK at best.. Many of them were pitchy.. XF just over produces everything and not in a good way. American Idol is still the king of all singing shows.

Lisa

YUCK. Tate is a mediocre singer at best. Terrible result.

Tate Stevens

I think Tate winning will make X Factor look good without any effort. The country audience is already behind him and will support him throughout his career.

When Melanie won last season it really hurt the show that she was such a flop but the runner-ups did a lot better than her after the show.

The runner-ups this season are promising but nothing is guaranteed.

TVMAN

@TateStevens. Just because one is country does not guarantee success. If they treat Tate like they did Melanie, than he’ll flop too. Also the Season 1 runner up did not do any better than Mel, all of the season 1 contestants have flopped so far.

getmilk

WGWG curse strikes again!

MJDB

@TVMAN

I don’t think Chris Rene flopped, who came in third place last year. I’ve heard several radio plays of his song Young Homie, and I think he might’ve done well on the some of the big charts.

Kangarookeeper

Having several stations playing your song does not make it a hit. Young Homie did not even show up on any Billboard Magazine chart.

maryr

take KHloe off of xfactor t will be better not watching next time if she is there.

psychic

Hurray.

TVMAN

@MJBD. Chris Rene also released two singles after that, they went nowhere. He released an album and its first week sales were in the 9,000 range, which is considered a MAJOR flop for a major label

B plus

@TVMAN

Rachel Crow from Season 1 had a lot of success even though she placed 5th last year.

However, most of the contestants in XF history haven’t had success as much as Carrie, Jennifer, Clay, Katharine, Scotty, and Kelly from AI.

CrimTV

Gosh, how terrible! CeCe should’ve won but out of these three Fifth Harmony should have been crowned!

Jack S

My least favourite most of the way through but I won’t hold it against him, I did quite enjoy his finale performances.

I hope they don’t make the same mistakes as with Melanie. I believe Carly, Fifth Harmony, Emblem 3, Cece and Paige could all have some success if handled right, that’s what a good crop it was. Tate could do well in the country market in the US but he isn’t a worldwide star.

CenterGravity

I gather that Tate was the country dude? I don’t watch the show, but I’ve seen clips of some singer on X Factor in a cowboy hat.

Glue

I really wanted Fifth Harmony to win. Well, Out of those three. Out of everyone, i would have liked Beatrice Miller To Win. I think she’s spunky and cool, just like avril lavigne, BUT Cece Frey HAD THE X FACTOR. They want to create POP(ULAR) Artists. Relevant Artists. That’s what Cece was. Also Paige and Emblem3 Sucked.

And Drew Ryniewicz (6th Place, Season 1 Of X Factor) Released An EP On iTunes, With No Label, No promotion. No anything really… She’s at Number 8 on the iTunes chart… That’s amazing. Also Rachel Crow, To me those two had the X Factor last year.

:).

SG

Tate is like a loaf of Wonder bread.

AA

He’s disgusting. He should sing in barns to lonely southern housewives.